I have a friend in my office who hurt his back while lifting something heavy. It is nothing serious but he has some lower back pain.
Any specific asanas that can help him for this?
Lower back pain is often caused by tight hips . The back overcompensated for the tightness in the hips. He should do pigeon and double pigeon[also called firelog pose] for starters. Hold it about 5 minutes on each side about 3 days a week.
*Take advice at your own risk
Yalgaar,
I would like to know if your friend has done any yoga before? I will assume he hasn’t, in which case I would not recommend any asanas at this point, but rather that your friend find relief in some of the other holistic practices such as accupuncture or physiotherapy. Asanas at this point might actually make his back pain worse as his body is not use to yoga and what it can do for him.
I’ll take Pandara’s concept one step further.
When we discover something that works for us, that uplifts us, that facilitates health and well being, it is only natural to want to share that with others so they may experience similar benefits. Everyone should be happy.
However, I have found that a person needs to be ready for Yoga, especially when the are hurting, either physically or emotionally. Otherwise we’re just cajoling them to do something that we know works for US, but perhaps not yet for them.
Furthermore, Yoga, and/or asana, isn’t aspirin. It cannot be popped and swallowed with the expectation that everything will be better in 20 minutes.
When others see our light, that which shines from us from our own living, then they’ll ask “hey, what’s going on” and you can tell them “I’ve found myself through yoga”. In the meantime Pandara’s point is well taken.
If your friend has an interest or is already familiar with yoga, then it might be be a good idea to have him see a yoga instructor who can assess where the pain is coming from (low back pain can surprisingly be from an incredible myriad of sources), and tell him what types of movements will relax those specific muscles and not lead to any more aggravation or exacerbation of pain. If he is not into yoga, then I recommend seeing a friendly massage therapist who is well educated and can give him information on how to do the same, and then do a manual relaxation of the muscles to help ease his pain. 
[QUOTE=Pandara;20396]Yalgaar,
I would like to know if your friend has done any yoga before? I will assume he hasn’t, in which case I would not recommend any asanas at this point, but rather that your friend find relief in some of the other holistic practices such as accupuncture or physiotherapy. Asanas at this point might actually make his back pain worse as his body is not use to yoga and what it can do for him.[/QUOTE]
Yup I too agree with Yalgaar. Even floor and stretch exercises are much preferable than asanas, as asanas are not advisable without any previous experiences. You can also suggest him to seek a good physio advice. Recently I have also came through a free back pain treatment site www[dot]irehab[dot]com , hope it might be also useful to him.
Sorry, Yaashar, but if you agree with Yalgar, why on earth did you quote me? If you disagree with me, then say so, but don’t quote me and then say nothing about it.
[QUOTE=Pandara;20455]Sorry, Yaashar, but if you agree with Yalgar, why on earth did you quote me? If you disagree with me, then say so, but don’t quote me and then say nothing about it.[/QUOTE]
I was wondering the same.
Yaashar, you agree with me on what? All that you say does not seem to be clear what and with whom you agree? Thanks for the site.
I’ve found that some postures, used with guidance, will assist in alleviating lower back issues. One other thing I may recommend from personal experience is a good Thai masseuse, which could be a first step to yoga.